A Look at One of Illinois’s Newest Seminaries—Inside a Prison

Danville Correctional Center is known as the home to some of Illinois’s violent drug offenders and gang members, but now, it also as another unique distinction: It’s the home of Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary. This article from The Chicago Tribune tells how after funding for education programs within the prison were pulled, private donors offered to support the seminary program, which allows inmates to pursue bachelor’s degrees in divinity, theological studies and Christian studies. The prison’s chaplain, Rev. Christopher Easton, told the paper that the seminary, which helps the offenders seek jobs in ministry after they are released, is helping to give hope to men locked up for decades. “There continues to be light in dark places. That’s why I’m here. These inmates are also lights in very dark places. They’re (often) the only Christians in their entire family or in their wing.” Rev. Manny Mill, who runs a ministry that sends volunteers to regularly meet with the inmates told the paper, “We are in desperate need of a true revival. I believe that the next revival is going to happen inside those walls and that revival is beginning to brew” …